What happened
On November 26, 2011, at approximately 12:00 UTC, a Neiva EMB-202 aircraft, registration PT-UOA, was performing agricultural spraying operations at Fazenda Santana in Piracicula, São Paulo. The aircraft was engaged in its eleventh takeoff of the day, carrying a load of approximately 500kg.
During the takeoff roll from a private airstrip, the pilot noted a slower-than-normal acceleration. In an attempt to rotate the aircraft and lift the tail, the pilot applied 30 degrees of flaps, significantly exceeding the manual's recommended 8 degrees. As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, the pilot attempted to lift the load to assist the takeoff. The aircraft failed to rotate sufficiently, causing it to enter a sugarcane field. The aircraft struck the terrain, performed a 180-degree turn, and came to a stop 65 meters from the runway threshold. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the aircraft's performance parameters. While the aircraft's maintenance records were up to date, the investigation found discrepancies in the documentation of certain logs.
Investigators analyzed the takeoff distance, considering the runway dimensions of 830 by 22 meters. Even using conservative estimates that disregarded wind effects and the drag produced by the agricultural configuration, the calculated takeoff distance exceeded the available runway length. The investigation also noted that the pilot relied on personal experience and intuition rather than consulting the aircraft's performance tables in the Flight Manual. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot's use of improper flap settings (30 degrees) caused momentary changes in the center of gravity, initially increasing lift but subsequently increasing drag, which compromised the takeoff energy.
Findings
- The pilot failed to use the aircraft's performance charts to plan the takeoff based on current environmental conditions.
- The pilot applied improper flap settings (30 degrees) during the takeoff roll, which negatively impacted the aircraft's aerodynamic stability and drag.
- The takeoff was attempted using a configuration that exceeded the available runway distance.
- Operational planning failed to account for critical variables such as wind speed, runway gradient, temperature, and humidity.
- The pilot's reliance on experience over technical data led to a failure in the decision-making process regarding the takeoff's feasibility.